Physical Therapy Assistant Practice Exam 2026 - Free PTA Practice Questions and Study Guide

The anterior drawer test is specifically designed to evaluate the stability of the ankle joint, particularly looking for potential damage to the ligaments on the lateral side of the ankle. In this case, the observation of greater movement on the lateral aspect during the test indicates that there is likely an injury to one of the lateral ankle ligaments.

The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is the most commonly injured ligament in ankle sprains, especially when the ankle is subjected to inversion forces. This ligament connects the talus bone to the fibula and plays a critical role in stabilizing the ankle. When the ATFL is damaged, the anterior drawer test will reveal increased anterior translation of the talus, which translates to the greater movement noted on the lateral aspect during the test.

The other ligaments mentioned, such as the calcaneofibular ligament, deltoid ligament, and transverse ligament, serve different roles and planes. The calcaneofibular ligament supports the ankle's lateral movement but is not the primary structure assessed with the anterior drawer test. The deltoid ligament is located on the medial side of the ankle and therefore wouldn’t be implicated if the issue is observed laterally. Lastly, the transverse ligament does not specifically pertain